GIGABYTE Z87X-OC Force Motherboard Second Look Review

Overclocking Results

BIOS Overclocking

The BIOS Performance page offers many avenues for overclocking, including two options for BIOS-managed overclocking. Both the Performance Upgrade and CPU Upgrade settings allow for a BIOS-configured CPU overclock up to 4.7GHz in .1GHz steps. However, it was found in testing that the BIOS set the CPU Vcore voltage much too high to utilize those settings. With the Performance Upgrade option set to 100% (resulting in a 4.7GHz CPU speed), the resulting Vcore voltage setting was 1.4V. In testing, the CPU was found to need no more than 1.20-1.25V for a stable overclock at 4.6GHz. Until GIGABYTE can get the voltage levels under better control, you are much better off manually configuring settings for overclocking your precious Haswell CPU.

Manual Overclocking

Using manual settings in the GIGABYTE UEFI BIOS via the Performance page, I was able to get the board running stable at a 175MHz base close setting with a 4.54GHz CPU speed and an 1866MHz memory speed. System stability was tested over a 10 hour period running the AIDA64 stability test in conjunction with FurMark running at 1280x1024 resolution and 2x MSAA in stress test mode.

I think you know im a Huge PcPer Fan.
i used to watch live when i could staying until 5-6AM not to miss when i could, and your reviews are industry FACTS.

I also admit to you, that when ever i reach this part in a review "we would like to thank our friends at XYZ"
it bugs me.

it shouldn't I know, & i know
readers interest is in your mind first & Co-operations last.(as it should)

This days PCper is significant and important enough to the hardware world so you don't have to display this public symbolic bow down in thank to the conglomerate.
(it should be the opposite, as you market what they sell)

i would wish PCper to consider the option to Omit that small yet Symbolic enough line.

i know its really not what is important
but Symbolism has its powers..

Not sure how many samples you have tested. However in regard to the disapproval regarding the BIOS assisted overclocks assigned voltages being off, I not only think the opposite (they are literally SPOT ON) but have hard data to back that up.

I have experienced with my own cpu, and read posts time and time again... where people have cited being able to increase voltages by xx and get stable up to 4.6, however anything past 4.6 takes HUGE jumps and some cant get stable past 4.6 no matter what.

I personally use the board you reviewed (which is why I was here) but wish I had waited for the next round of 1150 chips to launch as haswell isn't all it cracked up to be imo.

to get stable at 4.6 It takes me 1.28 (which is considered above average, and not too far off from your 1.20-1.25 however that I would consider FAR above average) and for 4.7 it takes me an additional .15v to get stable. HUGE jump. 1.43v to be exact. Now my temps don't even hit 70c via IBT at that voltage (water) and the bios assigned 1.4v with the 4.7 auto overclock setting that you cited as having too high of a voltage, wouldn't even have me stable.

Before tossing tossing that out there as fact and deter'ing a bunch of people.... see the numbers it takes a few cpu's to make those last few jumps. Depending on cooling it may not even be possible (god forbid the people that wont or cant delid, haswell is complete garbage then. Atleast on an enthusiast level). Or atleast read around, and remember until there is a hard-line agreement on what is "stable" you have the people with a brain that realize most people assume/use Prime95 and that by calling their pc/numbers stable via whatever other benchmark they decide only harms others and the community as a whole.